Aquascape DIYPrevent Lack of Oxygen by AerationAquarium Designs

To keep nature aquarium clean and healthy, water requires oxygen. A lack of oxygen caused water quality deterioration such as black and smelly water. Oxygen is essential for the breathing of fish, aquatic plants and microorganisms. Filtration bacteria, in particular, are sensitive to dissolved oxygen levels in water, and lack of oxygen easily leads to oil film occurrence and water quality deterioration. If the oxygen level decreases further, the condition of the fish and shrimps will also be affected. Carry out daily aeration to prevent lack of oxygen.

The best way to prevent low oxygen level related fish kills and lack of growth is to add supplemental aeration. The following is a list of facts you need to know from aquajournal.net presented in a photo illustration to find out how you can prevent lack of oxygen in the nature aquarium by aeration.

1. Small pieces of plants are produced through aquatic plant pruning.
2. The water suction part is clogged with those small pieces of plants, causing a decline in the flow rate.
3. Remove accumulated dirt and dust early.
4. Flow rate recovers once the water suction part is cleaned, allowing oxygen to reach all parts of the filtration system.

Aeration is a process of supplying oxygen to water and an air pump is usually used for this purpose. Use of an air pump also has a benefit in that it can be controlled with a timer. The NA Control Timer is equipped with an outlet for an air pump to allow the air pump turn on when the lighting and CO2 injection are turned off. This timer-controlled aeration is effective for promoting removal of residual CO2 in water that was left unconsumed by photosynthesis. If residual CO2 passes through the filter for a long period, bacteria may be damaged with an antiseptic effect on the CO2; however this problem may be prevented by starting aeration immediately after the light is turned off.

Furthermore, aeration may not be sufficiently effective if only a small amount of fine bubbles are produced. Optimal effectiveness may be obtained when an adequate amount of relatively large bubbles is generated to promote a gas exchange between air and water.

The Pollen Glass for AIR has a diffusing surface with coarser mesh compared with the Pollen Glass for CO2; in this way the aeration effect is maximized without placing a burden on the air pump. The diffusion rate of oxygen is extremely low in water; thus the use of water flow is necessary in order to sufficiently spread oxygen all over the tank.

In the case of a deep aquarium, the water flow rate is low at a deeper portion near the substrate, sometimes causing water stagnation. Bubbles actively produced by Pollen Glass for AIR also have an air lift effect. A Pollen Glass for AIR placed at a deeper portion in the aquarium creates a moderate upward water flow, which reduces water stagnation near the substrate.

Among the Pollen Glass series, Pollen Glass Beetle for AIR has a wide diffusing surface and is suitable for aeration for large aquarium. It is free from the problem of a bent tube and is thus ideal for installation in a deeper part of an aquarium. The use of this device helps keep a large aquarium in good condition.

5. Slightly lift the Lily Pipe P to fix it.
6. Take in air at the water surface to dissolve oxygen into water.
7. Pollen Glass for AIR of the same shape as for CO2.
8. The Backwater valve is also crucial for Pollen Glass for AIR. Connect it to an air pump with a silicon tube.

9. Plug in to the outlet for the air pump.
10. The air pump turns on when the light turns off.
11. The Pollen Glass for AIR has coarser diffusing surface to actively produce larger-sized bubbles containing oxygen.
12. It also has the effect of reducing water stagnation near the substrate.